The Bluff Fashion Decode: Steal Priyanka Chopra’s ‘Bloody Mary’ Armor & Pirate-Core Trends

Steel, Salt & Skin: Decoding the Brutal Fashion of The Bluff 🏴‍☠️

“Forget the glitter; this is the era of the blood-soaked pirate queen.”

Set against the backdrop of the 1800s Caribbean, The Bluff isn’t your typical swashbuckling adventure. Director Frank E. Flowers and the Russo Brothers have delivered an R-rated masterpiece that prioritizes historical grit over Hollywood glamour. At the heart of this visual storytelling is Antoinette Messam, the visionary costume designer who has redefined what a pirate looks like in 2026.

For the fashion-forward readers of ArtistryC.in, we are diving deep into the fabrics of survival, the colors of vengeance, and how you can bring this “Pirate-Core” aesthetic into your modern wardrobe.

1. Ercell “Bloody Mary” Bodden (Priyanka Chopra Jonas)

Priyanka’s character, Ercell, is a mother and protector who is forced to reclaim her violent identity. Her wardrobe transition from “Island Mother” to “Pirate Queen” is the film’s emotional backbone.

The Hero Piece: Handcrafted Leather Armor

The standout look is a sleeveless, high-neck brown leather vest. Unlike decorative costumes, this armor is entirely handcrafted, designed to look like it has survived decades of high-seas combat.

• Colors: Burnt Umber, Tobacco, and Ochre—reflecting the earth and the aged wood of a ship.
• Fabrics: Distressed, heavy-weight leather, hand-stitched with thick sinew.
• Styling: Asymmetrical leather straps cross the torso, serving a dual purpose: securing the armor and holding hidden blades.

✨ Adapt the Trend: Look for distressed leather gilets or structured vests. Pair them with oversized linen shirts and “utility” trousers for a modern, edgy street-style look that channels Ercell’s strength.

2. Captain Connor (Karl Urban)

Karl Urban’s antagonist is the embodiment of “Decaying Authority.” His look is more formal than Ercell’s but just as menacing.

The Look Deconstructed:

• The Coat: A long, midnight-navy frock coat made of heavy wool, now frayed at the hems and stained with sea salt.
• The Under-layers: A sweat-stained silk cravat and a waistcoat that has lost its luster, signaling a man who was once at the top of the pirate hierarchy but is now driven by obsession.
• Styling: High leather boots and a wide, weathered belt with a heavy brass buckle.

✨ Adapt the Trend: The “Great Coat” is back! A long wool overcoat in navy or charcoal, paired with a modern silk scarf and rugged boots, brings the “Captain” energy to a winter evening ensemble.

Notable Fashion Moments & Supporting Cast

While the leads command the screen, the supporting cast adds depth to the 1800s Cayman setting:

• Quartermaster Lee (Temuera Morrison): His look is defined by “The Working Pirate”—breathable linen tunics in neutral ash-grey and functional headwraps.
• The “Island” Palette: Before the chaos, Ercell and her family wear sun-bleached cottons and indigo-dyed fabrics, representing the peaceful, agrarian life of the Cayman Islands.
• Texture as Character: Note the use of coarse burlap and raw hemp in the costumes of the background crew—fabrics that tell a story of poverty and survival.